US-Iran War & Hormuz Pressure: US forces completed an 11th straight night of strikes on Iran as Marco Rubio warned that any Iranian attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz would set a “dangerous precedent,” while Iran hit Jordan’s Aqaba with missiles and drones and the conflict pushed Brent above $95. Diplomacy vs escalation: Rubio told ASEAN ministers in Manila the US remains open to talks if Iran takes negotiations seriously, even as Trump signaled intensifying action and threatened a nuclear site. Cost and politics in Washington: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth put the US-Iran war price tag at $37.5bn and urged Congress to approve another $87bn, as lawmakers face a fresh funding fight. Pakistan’s balancing act: Pakistan condemned Houthi threats to Saudi-linked Red Sea shipping and sought a $10bn US exchange-rate stabilization facility after mediating Iran talks. Regional spillover: Jordan reported intercepting missiles over Aqaba; energy jitters and shipping risks are spreading beyond Hormuz. ASEAN diplomacy: Rubio also reaffirmed the US “will never abandon” ASEAN partners and met China’s Wang Yi amid South China Sea frictions. Domestic governance angle (Philippines): Lawmakers urged Marcos Jr. to fast-track a New Philippine Building Act after disasters exposed outdated standards.